need shore excursion suggestions for family with infant

[annimal]

Hello, I'm taking an Alaskan cruise on RC (Serenade of the Seas) in September. I will be traveling with my parents, my sister, my husband and our son who will be 9 months old. Does anyone have suggestions for shore excursions that are good for infants? I wouldn't be surprised if we had to split up our group in some ports where there are more strenuous excursions that the others may be interested in (i.e. ziplining) and I would mill around town with the baby, but are there any suggestions for excursions that we can all enjoy and safely/comfortably bring the baby? The ports we will be visiting are Icy Strait Point, Skagway, and Juneau. Has anyone tried a floatplane trip or the dog sledding adventure with a baby? (apparently the operators say that you can just hold a baby on your lap for these types of excursions.) I'll post this on the Family board as well.

[sdfamily]

Here's what we have planned:

 

Skagway - rest of party is taking train to Fraser. Myself and the baby are renting a van and driving to pick them up in Fraser. Then we'll tool around Canada and return to Skagway. Thinking of hiring an independent tour guide of a couple hour tour of Skagway and Dyea for the remainder of the time.

 

Juneau - also renting a van and don't really have any scheduled excursions. Probably a hike and a visit to the brewery, hatchery, and glacier.

 

The car rental is just easier with the baby. You can move at your own pace and maybe get some napping in.:D

[ceilidh1]

The only excursion we are taking our 14 month old on is the White Pass railway, as I think she will be more than happy to look out the window as the train moves along. We have both a floatplane and helicopter excursion booked, but my husband and I will trade off staying in town with the baby - as well behaved as she is, I wouldn't risk her making a fuss and ruining other passengers experience. Depending on how we feel in ketchikan, we may take in the lumberjack show, as this is something we have seen a number of times with her here in Vancouver. For the most part, we are going to walk around and enjoy the scenery.

[itsme_jj]

National Parks and self-guided walking tours abound. I think activities that are self-paced may offer you the most flexibility with a small baby in tow, so you can stop and take care and let your baby set the pace.

 

Here are some trips you may enjoy, please however check at the port's visitor center to see if the information is still accurate as far as rates/hours.

 

Anchorage:

Alaska Public Lands Building (Park information & display)

Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge (Excellent birding, with up to 120 species to spot

Eagle River Nature Center (Wildlife viewing, interpretive trails & hikes in Chugach State Park) Parking donation is requested.

Alaska Heritage Library-Museum (Featuring hand-made artifacts of Alaska's Native cultures

Elmendorf State Fish Hatchery (Watch fish stocking programs in progress throughout the year.

Ship Creek Salmon Overlook (Fish for king salmon or simply marvel at the mighty fish headed upstream

Most attractions offer free shuttle services, but you can always take the public transportation

The Ship Creek Shuttle (+1 907 562 8448

 

This shuttle links downtown Anchorage with the Ship Creek area, and stops at the Alaska Railroad Depot. This bus service operates 8a to 5p, Monday through Friday. Saturday service, from 10a to 6p from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

 

People Mover(+1 907 343 6544/ http://www.muni.org/transit1/bus.cfm): The local public transit system provides access to most visitor attractions and activities. Regular service is available weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. with limited service evenings until 11 p.m. weekends and holidays. The People Mover provides free downtown transportation

 

Trolley Tours

Starting from the now-closed Fourth Avenue Theater, Trolley Tours offers one-hour narrated tours by an onboard guide who gives a brief history of downtown Anchorage's streets and buildings. All-day passes allow passengers to hop on and off as they choose: This trolley stops at many tourist destinations around downtown and midtown areas. The museum tour stops at three of the best-loved museums, and you have the option to rejoin the trolley at 15-minute intervals. Daily 9 am-5:30 pm in summer. Daily 7 am-8 pm mid-May to mid-September. The one-hour tour is US$10 adults, US$8 children 12 and older. Phone 907-276-5603

 

Juneau

From your ship, you'll see the Mt. Roberts tramway gliding 1,800 feet up the steep slope beside the cruise ship pier. The tramway is quite an engineering achievement, built by the Swiss and operated by Goldbelt, a native-owned company. At the top on a clear day, you'll see spectacular vistas and an aerial view of your ship, and you'll find walking trails, shops and restaurants. Watch "Seeing Daylight," the 25-minute, award-winning film about the culture and heritage of the Tlingit people. A day pass for the tram costs $21.95 ($12.60 for kids age seven to 12). Some cruise lines sell tram tickets for the same price, but since you still have to walk to the tram terminal, the only advantage to purchasing on board is perhaps skipping a lineup at the tramway ticket counter.

 

 

Mendenhall Glacier, a 20 minute drive from downtown, is the most accessible glacier to any town on the Inside Passage. Once there you see the visitor's center, the glacier and its lake. There are some spectacular hiking trails and park rangers offer guided hikes. Be alert if setting off on your own as bears are common in this area and some trails may be closed.

If you take a tour bus that sticks to its schedule, you'll only have about 45 minutes at the glacier before heading back. It's worth staying longer to maneuver around to the spectacular waterfalls on the right of the glacier, getting close enough to feel the spray coming down.

Ways to get there:

Take a guided Tour. $15 & up….check dock side visitors center for information.

Shuttle Bus $5.00 each way

A shuttle bus departs from outside the tramway to the glacier. $5.00 each way. this reason.

City Bus: $1.50 adults; seniors, disabled and children under 5 : Free.

The bus goes within 1 mi/2 km of the visitors center every 30 minutes and the walk is a fairly level path.

If you are a larger group, you may want to consider renting a van… which may be more convenient but needs to be done in advance.

 

When you get off your ship, you'll be right downtown. The Visitors Bureau has an office at the pier where you can pick up maps and information. A number of memorials are situated along the waterfront and boardwalk and the famous Red Dog Saloon is nearby; state and city museums and government buildings are a short walk, with shops all along the way.

Downtown can be easily explored on foot. But Capital Transit public buses also circle the city and valley areas on the half-hour 7 am-11:45 pm.

 

 

 

Skagway:

A Skagway walking tour map is available at the Visitors Center (between Second and Third Avenue). This valuable guide can tell you every building on Broadway and the year it was built, along with background information about the surrounding area. The Historic Skagway Inn and the Red Onion Saloon are just two of the many original buildings along Broadway. Walk down the side streets to discover more interesting historic sights. The gold rush cemetery is a fascinating spot just a short walk from town. The Skagway Museum & Archives (Trail of '98 Museum) is just off Broadway at 7th and Spring.

 

From your ship, the municipal shuttle ($2.00) will take you to Broadway, the main street, which still has a boardwalk and many original buildings from gold rush days. Stop by the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center (at the corner of Second Avenue) to learn the history of the area.

The free 45 minute tours are at 9, 10, 11, 2 & 3. Pick up tickets at the visitor center, 2nd Ave & Broadway. Each group is limited to 30 people. That's only 150 persons per day! So don't just expect to walk up at 8:55 for a 9 a.m. tour.

 

 

Ketchikan

Stop by the visitors center on the dock to pick up a walking-tour map and guide to area attractions. The 2-mi/3-km tour is an excellent way to see many of Ketchikan's sites. Even if you do stray from the map, don't worry: The town isn't big enough to get lost in.

The walking tour will take you past the turreted, Victorian-style Morean House; the 1954 tunnel on Front Street, which claims to be the only tunnel that you can go over, around and through; and E.C. Phillips & Sons, one of the few remaining cold-storage and fish-processing plants in the city. You might also want to drop by the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, ($5) one block inland from the cruise docks. It provides interpretive exhibits about the rain forest, wildlife and native cultures, a film about the Tongass National Forest, and information on public lands, area hiking and local ecosystems.

 

Along with the prosperity brought by salmon and mining came a red-light district built on the pilings above Ketchikan Creek. The community had as many as 30 bordellos before prostitution became illegal in 1953. All the women moved on except Dolly Arthur, whose bordello is now a museum, Dolly's House. Strolling along the rest of Creek Street and checking out the various shops can be great fun. There are also a few cafes where you can eat outside if the weather is nice. Or, just hang over the railings and watch the fish and kayakers go by. While you're on Creek Street, catch the tram up to the West Coast Cape Fox Lodge. From there you'll be treated to one of the best views of Ketchikan.

 

Ketchikan's Great Alaska Lumberjack Show

The show is a rowdy re-creation of logging competitions from Alaska's past. You can watch chopping, sawing, axe-throwing, pole climbing and log-rolling events from a heated, covered facility. The 90-minute performances take place May-September from one to three times a day, depending on the number of ships in port. US$31.80. Behind the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Ketchikan. Toll-free 888-320-9049 for show times. http://www.lumberjackshows.com

 

 

Saxman Native Village

This village, named after a Presbyterian teacher who was lost at sea, has a collection of 24 totems planted in the ground. In addition to the poles, there's a cedar replica of the Beaver Clan House and a carving shed. Open Monday-Friday. Free admission. Tours, demonstrations and performances have fees. 2706 S. Tongass Highway, Saxman, Ketchikan. Phone 907-225-4166.

 

Totem Bight State Park

This park has 14 poles, most of which are more than 50 years old. You can also stop by a Tlingit clan house. To reach the site, walk along a path through the rain forest to a clearing covered with wildflowers. The totems and the scenery are truly spectacular—if you really want to appreciate the view, take along a picnic lunch and spend an hour or more there. Kiosks near poles interpret the carvings. Free but donations are accepted. 9883 N. Tongass Highway, Ketchikan. Phone 907-247-8574.

The center features scenic paths around what were once the native holding ponds for salmon, and a beautiful fountain. Photographers and bird-watchers can get up close to eagles, and visitors can feed the salmon that will be released to the wild on reaching adulthood. Sample Alaska smoked salmon in the Interpretive Center. Open 8 am to 4:30 pm in summer. US$9. 1158 Salmon Road (near Ketchikan Creek and City Park), Ketchikan. Phone 907-228-5530. http://www.kictribe.com/Hatchery.htm

 

Stedman Street Bridge

This spot over Ketchikan Creek is great for adults and children. During the season, visitors can rent poles and get a fishing license from a little blue shop next to Exploration Gallery on Mill Street near the bridge. Fish can be processed and vacuum-packed for shipment home

Fishing licenses cost extra: US$10 per day for nonresidents, and US$10 for a king salmon sticker (if you catch a king but don't have a sticker, you'll have to release it). Processing of caught fish is done at dockside for an additional charge (by the pound) and is shipped by FedEx to whatever address you provide.

 

 

Sitka

You can see many of the sights on a walking tour around town, including St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Totem Square, Isabel Miller Museum and the Russian Bishop's House. Familiarize yourself with Sitka before you leave home by studying the map at http://www.sitka.org/maps.html

Start your tour with a stroll around downtown Sitka. A walking-tour map is available at the Harrigan Centennial Hall visitors center.

Visitor Trolley operates in summer on large cruise ship days. Operation begins one hour after a large ships arrival in port. The Visitors Trolley will take visitors to (or very near) all the major attractions in Sitka, with the bus returning every 25 minutes. Pickup stops are Sitka National Historical Park, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Alaska Raptor Center, Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Building, in front of the Random House store (in the center of downtown), O'Connell Docking area and Crescent Harbor Docking area (next to Harrigan Hall). Look for the yellow bus stop signs. 2008 rate: $10 for all day pass, $5 one way to the Alaska Raptor Center.

Alaska Raptor Center is a 10-minute drive from town. Here, injured eagles, owls and other birds are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. The birds can be seen in the outdoor display and an informative presentation explains the work of the center. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under. See http://www.alaskaraptor.org

 

 

Hope this helps.

[annimal]

Wow Janette - thanks for the list of suggestions!

[Suzanne123]

Janette - I am printing out your entire posting to take along -- and I don't even have a baby! Thanks for the tips.

[kenish]

Jeanette- Thank you for the post, I beat Suzanne and printed it this morning. It will travel with our 200 pounds of guide and coupon books. :)

 

The Stedman St. bridge is a great tidbit that I haven't seen anywhere else. My son didn't want to spend half a day fishing, but he may change his mind once we are there. This gives him a quick and easy opportunity to bag a salmon (or at least try).

[mprucha]

Thanks Janette!

 

We'll be cruising with our little grandson next year and these are great ideas! Thanks for taking the time to put this together for us!

[knittingGal]

I am curious whether you have to pay full cruise fare for infant as adult?

[annimal]

KnittingGal - we had to pay 3rd person adult fare for our infant son. RC does not have infant pricing.

[themerle]

itsme_jj Thanks for the information! I wish I had known about the trolley in Anchorage a month or so ago. Plans have now changed but it's good information for another time.